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Improving England beaten in opener

Daniel Bell-Drummond top scored for England Under-19s with 55, but it was not enough to prevent a 44-run defeat in the first ODI in Chittagong

England Under-19s suffered a 44-run defeat in the first of seven one-day internationals against their Bangladeshi counterparts in Chittagong.

Having been dismissed for just 85 in Wednesday’s warm-up fixture, Adam Ball’s side delivered a much improved performance with the bat today in posting 221 all out.

However, that was still not enough to secure victory after Bangladesh had compiled an imposing 265 for eight from 50 overs, thanks largely to 81 from Mosaddek Hossain and a 41-ball 50 from Al-Amin.

Shozair Ali and Sam Wood picked up three wickets apiece for England, and Daniel Bell-Drummond then got the run-chase off to a strong start with 55 at the top of the order, but Noor Hossain’s 4-31 proved key for the hosts.

After Worcestershire all-rounder Aneesh Kapil had made the first breakthrough for England by dismissing Anamul Haque for 22, Wood removed Salman Hossain, Liton Das and skipper Asif Ahmed with his off-spin.

A riotous stand of 114 in less than 15 overs between Mosaddek and Al-Amin boosted Bangladesh, however, and although Shozair dismissed both in an over that yielded four wickets, one a run-out, England were left facing a stiff target.

Wood departed cheaply in the third over, but Bell-Drummond received useful support from wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes, who contributed 32 from 22 balls before becoming Noor’s first victim.

Wickets fell at regular intervals thereafter to undermine the tourists’ pursuit, and a handy innings of 43 from Kapil, who struck two fours and two sixes, was not enough to see his side over the line.